Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Analyst / Senior Policy Analyst / Policy Director

at Secure AI Project

🏢 About Secure AI Project

Secure AI Project is a unique nonprofit focused specifically on pragmatic policies to mitigate severe risks from frontier AI models, rather than general AI ethics or regulation. Unlike many AI policy organizations, they concentrate on concrete, actionable governance solutions for advanced AI systems that could pose existential threats. Someone might want to work here to contribute directly to shaping the regulatory frameworks that could determine how transformative AI technologies are safely developed and deployed globally.

About This Role

This role involves analyzing emerging AI policy developments and regulatory frameworks, then translating those insights into practical recommendations and strategic guidance for policymakers. You'll engage directly with stakeholders and contribute to research publications that advance AI safety governance. This position is impactful because you'll help shape the actual policies that could prevent catastrophic outcomes from advanced AI systems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing recent AI developments or policy proposals, drafting sections of a policy brief with specific recommendations, and preparing for stakeholder meetings with policymakers or researchers. You'd likely collaborate remotely with technical researchers to ensure policy work is grounded in current AI safety understanding, while also tracking regulatory developments across different jurisdictions.

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🎯 Who Secure AI Project Is Looking For

  • Has experience analyzing technical AI developments and translating them into policy recommendations, not just general policy analysis
  • Demonstrates understanding of frontier AI risks and current governance debates (like model evaluations, compute thresholds, or liability frameworks)
  • Can point to specific examples of stakeholder engagement with policymakers, researchers, or industry on technical governance issues
  • Shows ability to produce research that bridges technical AI safety concepts and practical policy implementation

📝 Tips for Applying to Secure AI Project

1

Reference specific Secure AI Project publications or policy positions in your application materials to show you've studied their work

2

Highlight any experience with technical AI concepts (like model capabilities evaluations, red-teaming, or safety benchmarks) alongside policy work

3

Demonstrate understanding of 'pragmatic' policy approaches by discussing concrete governance mechanisms rather than abstract principles

4

If you have remote work experience, emphasize your self-management and communication skills for a distributed team

5

Show how your background addresses frontier AI risks specifically, not just general AI ethics or regulation

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific understanding of frontier AI risks and why pragmatic policy solutions are needed', 'Examples of translating technical AI concepts into actionable policy recommendations', "How your experience aligns with Secure AI Project's focus on severe risk reduction rather than general AI governance", 'Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders on technically complex policy issues']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Secure AI Project's publications and policy papers to understand their specific positions and approach
  • → Study their team members' backgrounds to understand their interdisciplinary approach
  • → Review their website's 'What We Do' section to understand their theory of change and focus areas
  • → Look at their public engagements (testimonies, events, media) to see how they frame issues for different audiences
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you analyze a specific frontier AI development (like a new capability breakthrough) for policy implications?
2 What concrete governance mechanisms do you think are most promising for addressing severe AI risks, and why?
3 How would you engage policymakers who are skeptical about existential AI risks?
4 Can you walk through how you'd develop a policy recommendation from initial research to stakeholder engagement?
5 What current AI policy developments (national or international) do you think are most relevant to frontier AI governance?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on general AI ethics without addressing specific frontier AI risks or governance mechanisms
  • Presenting generic policy analysis without showing understanding of technical AI concepts
  • Applying with a generic AI policy resume that doesn't tailor to Secure AI Project's specific mission and focus areas

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Secure AI Project!

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